Ontario window tint laws: what's legal in 2026
Ontario requires front side windows to pass more than 70% of light (70% VLT), counting factory glass and film together. Rear side windows and the rear windshield face no restriction. Tinting a windshield below the AS-1 line has been illegal on vehicles built after January 1, 2017. Fines run $85 to $500.
The limits, window by window
| Window | Legal limit |
|---|---|
| Windshield | No aftermarket tint below the AS-1 line (vehicles made on or after 1 Jan 2017) |
| Front side windows | Must allow more than 70% of light through |
| Rear side windows | No restriction |
| Rear windshield | No restriction, provided both side mirrors work |
The detail that catches people out
The 70% rule covers glass and film combined — not the film's labelled rating alone.
Most modern glass already measures around 70 to 85% VLT straight from the factory. Put a film rated "70%" on glass sitting at 75%, and the combined figure lands near 52% — well short of legal. That is exactly how drivers asking for a "light" tint end up illegal on the front windows.
That's why we meter your actual glass before recommending any front shade. The rears play by different rules — go as dark as you want back there.
What it costs to get it wrong
Fines land between $85 and $500 based on severity. Officers meter tint at the roadside, so there's no judgement call involved.
Two surprises most people miss: illegal tint can fail a safety inspection, and a conviction under the Highway Traffic Act sits on your three-year driving abstract. Insurers do look at that come renewal. The ticket itself is the least of it.
You can also be ordered to strip the film — meaning you pay twice, once for the install and once for the removal.
How to stay legal and still get what you want
The smart play is splitting front and rear. Keep the front legal, run whatever you like on the rears. The car still reads tinted from the outside because the rear glass dominates the look.
Chasing privacy? The rears do nearly all of it. Chasing heat rejection? A legal ceramic on the front outperforms a darker dyed film — darkness and heat rejection are not the same thing.
Frequently asked
What is the legal tint limit in Ontario?
Front side windows must pass more than 70% of light, measured with factory glass and film together. Rear side windows and the rear windshield have no limit. Tinting below the AS-1 line is illegal on windshields of vehicles built on or after January 1, 2017.
What is the fine for illegal tint in Ontario?
From $85 to $500 depending on severity. Officers check tint with a VLT meter roadside. You may also be ordered to remove the film, and the conviction lands on your three-year driving abstract, visible to insurers.
Can I tint my windshield in Ontario?
Not below the AS-1 line on vehicles built on or after January 1, 2017. A narrow strip across the top is allowed. Older vehicles are judged on whether the officer considers it a 'substantial obstruction'.
How dark can my rear windows be in Ontario?
No legal limit applies to rear side windows or the rear windshield, provided both side mirrors work. Go as dark as you like back there.
Is 35% tint legal in Ontario?
Not on front side windows — 35% film passes 35% of light, far under the 70% minimum. On rear windows it's fully legal.
Will tint affect my car insurance?
Legal tint has no effect. A ticket for illegal tint is a Highway Traffic Act conviction that stays on your abstract for three years, and insurers can price that in at renewal.
Where to find us
Get your price within the hour
One Etobicoke studio, open 7 days 10 AM – 8 PM. Tell us your vehicle and we'll come back with a real number.